Hair accessory

ABSTRACT

Hair accessories, hair accessory kits and methods of using hair accessories are disclosed. The hair accessory comprises a base defining a head-facing surface and an opposing surface, a stem extending from the opposing surface, and an enlarged form extending from the stem opposite the base. When the hair accessory is positioned against a wearer&#39;s head, the hair surrounding the base is drawn perpendicularly away from the wearer&#39;s head and fastened around the stem. The fastened hair at least partially conforms to the shape of the enlarged form. A textile cover may be provided for covering the fastened hair and the enlarged form.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a hair accessory. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a hair accessory for styling hair.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Hair may be classified using numerous systems, sometimes called “hair typing systems”. One hair typing system commonly used by members of the Black community is divided into four major “types” and various sub-types, with the major types being numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4 for “straight”, “wavy”, “curly” and “coily”/“kinky” hair types, respectively. This hair typing system has been exemplified in numerous references, such as on the website ONYC, and described at web.archive.org/web/20210814192315/https://www.onychair.com/different-types-of-hair-textures-natural-hair-types. Commercializations of this hair typing system, and variants thereof, have been promulgated as, for example, the “Andre Walker Hair Typing System” described at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_Walker_Hair_Typing_System.

For various historical reasons, many people with hair that, in its natural state, could be categorized as Type 3 or Type 4, have been encouraged or even forced to alter their hair using chemical, mechanical or other means to behave more like hair that could be categorized as Type 1 or Type 2 hair according to these hair typing systems. Accordingly, there is a need for a greater variety of products and services for people who wish to maintain Type 3 or Type 4 in its natural state, or for people who have modified their hair to achieve the properties typically associated with Type 3 or 4 hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate by way of example only embodiments of the present disclosure:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example embodiment of a hair accessory and an elastic;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the embodiment of the hair accessory of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment of the hair accessory of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment of the hair accessory of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the embodiment of the hair accessory of FIG. 1 ;

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an implementation for styling a wearer's hair using the embodiment of the hair accessory of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the embodiment of the hair accessory of FIG. 1 , with two elastics and a textile cover;

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate an implementation for styling a wearer's hair using the embodiment of the hair accessory, elastics and textile cover of FIG. 8 ; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a hair accessory having an enlarged form shown in phantom lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hair may be classified using numerous systems, sometimes called “hair typing systems”. One hair typing system commonly used by members of the Black community is divided into four major “Types” and various sub-types, with the major types being numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4 for “straight”, “wavy”, “curly” and “coily”/“kinky” hair types, respectively. This hair typing system has been exemplified in numerous references, such as on the website ONYC, and described at web.archive.org/web/20210814192315/https://www.onychair.com/different-types-of-hair-textures-natural-hair-types. Commercializations of this hair typing system, and variants thereof, have been promulgated as, for example, the “Andre Walker Hair Typing System” described at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_Walker_Hair_Typing_System.

For various historical reasons, many people with hair that, in its natural state, could be categorized as Type 3 or Type 4, have been encouraged or even forced to alter their hair using chemical, mechanical or other means to behave more like hair that could be categorized as Type 1 or Type 2 hair according to these hair typing systems. Accordingly, there is a need for a greater variety of products and services for people who wish to maintain Type 3 or Type 4 in its natural state, or for people who have modified their hair to achieve the properties typically associated with Type 3 or 4 hair.

For example, one challenge for people with Type 3 and 4 hair in particular is to wear their hair in a bun without first straightening their hair.

The present disclosure provides a hair accessory and associated method for styling a wearer's hair. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a hair accessory kit for styling a wearer's hair.

In at least one embodiment, a hair accessory is provided. The hair accessory comprises: a base defining a head-facing surface and an opposing surface; a stem extending from the opposing surface; and an enlarged form extending from the stem.

In at least another embodiment, a hair accessory kit is provided. The hair accessory kit comprises: a hair accessory comprising a base defining a head-facing surface and an opposing surface, a stem extending from the opposing surface, and an enlarged form extending from the stem; and a fastener for fastening a wearer's hair around the stem. The hair accessory kit may further comprise a textile cover for covering the portion of the wearer's hair that is at least partially formed around the enlarged shape, and at least a further fastener for fastening the textile cover over the formed portion of the wearer's hair around the stem.

In yet at least another embodiment, a method is provided for styling the hair of a wearer using a hair accessory having a base defining a hair-facing surface and an opposing surface, a stem extending from the opposing surface, and an enlarged form extending from the stem. The method comprises: applying the head-facing surface against the wearer's head; drawing the wearer's hair surrounding the base away from the wearer's head; and fastening said hair around the stem. When fastened to the stem, said hair may substantially conform to at least part of the enlarged form. The method may further comprise fastening the wearer's hair over the enlarged form opposite from the stem. The method may yet further comprise covering the portion of the wearer's hair surrounding the enlarged form with a textile cover, and fastening the textile cover around the stem.

In at least one embodiment, the head-facing surface may comprise a plurality of projections extending laterally outwardly. The projections may be radially extending arms. Each projection may have a tip for inserting the projection underneath the wearer's hair. The plurality of projections may be at least partially separated from one another by a corresponding plurality of laterally extending slots therebetween.

In yet another at least one embodiment, the head facing surface of the base may be concave. The enlarged form, the stem and the base may be monolithically formed, or at least two of the enlarged form, the stem and the base may be threadably connectable to each other. The enlarged form may be substantially spherical.

FIGS. 1 to 7 and 9 illustrate an embodiment of a hair accessory 100. The hair accessory 100 comprises a base 110 defining a head-facing surface 112 and an opposing surface 113, a stem 120 extending from the opposing surface 113, and an enlarged form 130 extending from the stem 120 opposite the base 110. As described below in greater detail, the hair accessory 100 can be used in conjunction with at least a first fastener 200 to fasten the wearer's hair 2 around the stem 120.

As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 , the base 110 of the hair accessory 100 defines a head-facing surface 112 shaped to be positioned against the head of a wearer. Accordingly, the head-facing surface 110 may be flat or advantageously may be concave to better conform to the curvature of the wearer's head 1, as illustrated in FIG. 7 . The head-facing surface 112 may be smooth, as shown, or textured. For example, it may have teeth extending therefrom to grip the wearer's hair when fitted. As shown, the base 110 may comprise a plurality of petal-like projections 114 extending laterally outward. In some embodiments, each projection 114 may terminate at a pointed or angled tip 116 that facilitates insertion of the projection 114 underneath the wearer's hair 2. Alternatively, the base may define a closed shape, that is, without defining a plurality of projections and without tips.

The projections 114 may be at least partially separated from one another by a corresponding plurality of laterally outwardly extending slots 118 therebetween. It will be appreciated that the term “laterally” as used herein may encompass the term “radially” if the hair accessory 100 is aligned along an axis, as depicted in FIGS. 1-12 . However, the term “laterally” may also encompass any direction that is substantially perpendicular to the stem 120. Once in position against the wearer's head, the plurality of slots 118 permit strands of the wearer's hair 2 from beneath the projections 114 to be drawn laterally inwardly toward the stem 120, without needing to pass from the periphery of the base 110 over the opposing surface 113. The plurality of slots 118 may provide a friction fit when hair is drawn therethrough and thus assist in retaining the hair accessory 100 to the wearer's head 1 when fitted. As shown, the slots 118 may be straight. Alternatively, the slots may define a curved or toothed path to provide a firmer hold when a wearer's hair is drawn therethrough. Further or alternatively, the projections 114 may be at least partially separated by gaps sufficiently large to permit the base 110 to be positioned near another object (not shown). For example, one or more gaps may permit the hair accessory 100 to be positioned so that two of the projections 114 straddle the user's ear, thereby permitting the hair accessory 100 to be positioned close to the user's ear. Alternatively, the base 110 may be formed to define a contiguous, unseparated surface without slots 112 or gaps (not shown).

In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the base 110 may comprise a plurality of laterally extending arms with tips, the laterally extending arms together defining a head-facing surface and gaps therebetween. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the base may have other shapes.

The stem 120 extends from the opposing surface 113 of the base 110. The stem 120 may have any suitable shape, such as a cylindrical or concave shape. The stem 120 is narrower than the base 110 so that when the wearer's surrounding hair is drawn radially inward and fastened around the stem 120, the fastened hair 2 pushes the opposing surface 113 of the base 110 against the wearer's head. For example, if the wearer's surrounding hair 2 is drawn through the slots 118 and fastened around the stem 120, as shown in FIG. 9 , then friction between that hair 2 and the slots 118 may tend to retain the base in position. Further, once the fastener 200 fastens the wearer's surrounding hair 200 around the stem, the fastener 200 itself may also tend to push the base 110 against the wearer's head 1. Still further, any surrounding hair 2 that passes over opposing surface 113 of the base 110 toward the stem 120 may also tend to push the base 110 against the wearer's head 1.

The stem 120 may extend from opposing surface 113 near the centre of the base 110, as illustrated. If the base 110 is substantially symmetrical about its centre point, as in the illustrated embodiment, then the stem 120 and the base 110 are substantially coaxial. Alternatively, the stem 120 may extend eccentrically from the base 110. For example, if the hair accessory 100 is to be positioned against a substantially vertical region of the wearer's head, an eccentric alignment may provide a greater holding force if a greater proportion of the base 110 is positioned vertically above the stem 120, since the weight of the hair accessory 100 will tend to apply the greatest torque at the uppermost section of the base 110 when fitted.

The enlarged form 130 extends from the end of the stem 120 opposite from the base 110. The enlarged form 130 is wider than at least the stem 120 and may be wider or narrower than the base. In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the enlarged form 130 is shown as a substantially orb-like or spherical shape. That is, the enlarged form 130 is spherical. However, the enlarged form 130 may have other shapes, such as cubic, pyramidal, plate-like or other shapes. When in place on the head 1, the enlarged form 130 provides an underlying structure that can be covered by the wearer's hair, as shown in FIG. 9 .

The enlarged form 130, the stem 120 and the base 110 may be formed monolithically or separately, and of any suitable material, such as, various moulded, printed or tooled plastic or polystyrene foam materials. For example, the hair accessory 100 may be made of injection-moulded polypropylene. Alternatively, the hair accessory 100 may be made of wood, or fibres, such as bamboo or coconut. The base 110, the stem 120 and/or the enlarged form 130, may have threaded connections so that the stem 120 can be screwed to the base 110 and/or the enlarged form 130 may be screwed to the stem 120. This may also permit the base 110, the stem 120 and/or the enlarged form 130 to be interchanged. Further, each of the enlarged form 130, the stem 120 and the base 110 may be made of the same materials as, or of different materials from, each other. Advantageously, the selected material may be relatively light-weight to reduce the forces tending to dislodge the hair accessory 100 when worn. Accordingly, in at least one embodiment, the enlarged form 130 is substantially hollow. In at least another embodiment, the enlarged form 130 and the stem 120 are both substantially hollow. In still further embodiments, at least a part of the hair accessory 100 has an open surface, such as a mesh, grid or perforated surface to further reduce the amount of material, and thus weight, while still providing a structure for styling the wearer's hair.

By way of example, in at least one embodiment, the base 110 may measure about 55 mm between opposing tips 116, the stem 120 has a diameter of approximately 55 mm and an axial length of approximately 7 mm, and the enlarged form 130 has a diameter of approximately 50 mm. In the same embodiment, the base 110 comprises four projections 114 having approximately 2 mm-wide slots 118 therebetween, the slots 118 extending radially inwardly for approximately 6 mm. The head-facing surface 112 is concave, such that the tips 116 project axially approximately 10 mm away from the opposing surface 113. The tips 116 are angled at an angle α, as shown in FIG. 5 , of approximately 62 degrees. However, it will be appreciated that the hair accessory 100 may have other dimensions.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 , the hair accessory 100 is initially mounted to the wearer's head 1 by placing the hair accessory 100 at the desired location against the head 1.

Optionally, when the hair accessory 100 is placed on the wearer's head 1, the hair accessory 100 may be rotated slightly, as indicated in FIG. 7 , so that the projections 114 at least partially slide under the wearer's hair 2 as well. Those skilled in the art will understand that this initial step can at least temporarily fix the hair accessory 100 to the wearer's head, particularly if the wearer has Type 3 or 4 hair.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 , to secure the hair accessory 100 in place, the hair 2 drawn towards the stem 120 may be fastened around the stem 120 by a fastener 200. In the accompanying figures, the fastener 200 is shown as a common hair elastic. Alternatively, the hair 2 may be tied in place using a cord, string, thread or ribbon.

If the wearer's hair 2 is, for example, Type 4 or even Type 3, the hair 2 may tend to project away from the wearer's head 1 and abut at least part of the surface of the enlarged form 130 when fastened around the stem 120, as shown in FIG. 9 . As a result, the wearer's hair 2 may appear to have a partial or full bun-like shape similar to the illustrated spherical enlarged form 130.

Alternatively, if the wearer's hair 2 is, for example, Type 1 or Type 2, then the wearer's hair 2 may tend to fall back toward the wearer's head 1 even when fastened around the stem 120, and thus abut or conform to only a relatively small portion of the enlarged form 130 (not shown). Optionally, the wearer's hair may be left in that state or it may be styled to conform to more of the enlarged form 130. For example, the wearer's hair may be shaped into conformity using paste, spray, pomade, wax or other product to hold the hair against the enlarged form 130. In a further example, the wearer's hair 2 may be drawn over the enlarged form 130, and at least a second fastener fastened around the hair 2 over the enlarged form 130 opposite from the stem 120 so that the wearer's hair 2 conforms substantially entirely to the shape of the enlarged form 130.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that depending on the length and characteristics of the wearer's hair, the enlarged form 130 may be at least partially concealed, as shown in FIG. 9 . To completely conceal the enlarged form 130, a decorative and/or protective textile cover 300, as shown in FIG. 8 , may be used to cover the enlarged form 130 and the wearer's surrounding hair 2. The textile cover 300 may be made of any suitable textile and may have any suitable shape, such as round, square or rectangular. The textile cover 300 is sized to reach the stem 120 so that it can be fastened around the stem when secured over the wearer's hair.

The textile cover 300 may be secured over the wearer's hair 2 using one or more fasteners 200, such as an elastic, a cord, a string, a thread or a ribbon to fasten the textile cover 300 around the stem 120 of the hair accessory 100, as shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 . Alternatively, the textile cover 300 may have an elasticated edge to serve as the fastener. Further, the textile cover 300 may be made of an elastic knit material formed to cover the enlarged form 130 and fasten the textile cover 300 around the stem 120. Optionally, the same fastener as previously described may be used to fasten the hair accessory 100 and the textile cover 300 in position, or the earlier fastener may be omitted and the fastener associated with the textile cover 300 may be used to fasten both the hair accessory 100 and the textile cover 300 in place.

Accordingly, in at least another embodiment, a hair accessory kit is provided, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the kit comprises the hair accessory 100 and the fastener 200. As shown in FIG. 8 , the kit may further comprise the textile cover 300 and may further comprise one or more fasteners 200. The kit may further comprise a plurality of hair accessories 100, fasteners 200 and, optionally, textile covers 300.

The embodiments in this disclosure have been described in the context of a particular application; however, their implementation is not so limited. For example, the embodiments described in this disclosure may be described in connection with a wearer having a certain hair type; however, they may be implemented in connection with a wearer having any hair type. These embodiments are meant to be exemplary only.

It will be appreciated that individual features having been described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Further, individual features having been described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Various embodiments having been thus described in detail by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that alternatives, variations and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. 

1. A hair accessory, comprising: a base defining a head-facing surface and an opposing surface; a stem extending from the opposing surface; and an enlarged form extending from the stem.
 2. The hair accessory of claim 1, wherein the head-facing surface comprises a plurality of projections extending laterally outwardly.
 3. The hair accessory of claim 2, wherein the plurality of projections are radially extending arms.
 4. The hair accessory of claim 2, wherein each projection has a tip for inserting the projection underneath a wearer's hair.
 5. The hair accessory of claim 2, wherein the plurality of projections are at least partially separated from one another by a corresponding plurality of laterally extending slots therebetween.
 6. The hair accessory of claim 1, wherein the head-facing surface is concave.
 7. The hair accessory of claim 1, wherein the enlarged form, the stem and the base are monolithically formed.
 8. The hair accessory of claim 1, wherein at least two of the base, the stem and the enlarged form are threadedly connectable to each other.
 9. The hair accessory of claim 1, wherein the enlarged form is substantially spherical.
 10. A hair accessory kit, comprising: a hair accessory, comprising: a base defining a head-facing surface and an opposing surface; a stem extending from the opposing surface; and an enlarged form extending from the stem; and at least one fastener for fastening a wearer's hair around the stem.
 11. The hair accessory kit of claim 10, wherein the head-facing surface comprises a plurality of projections extending laterally outwardly.
 12. The hair accessory kit of claim 11, wherein the plurality of projections are radially extending arms.
 13. The hair accessory kit of claim 11, wherein each projection has a tip for inserting the projection underneath a wearer's hair.
 14. The hair accessory kit of claim 11, wherein the plurality of projections are at least partially separated from one another by a corresponding plurality of laterally extending slots therebetween.
 15. The hair accessory kit of claim 10, wherein the head-facing surface is concave.
 16. The hair accessory kit of claim 10, wherein the enlarged form, the stem and the base are monolithically formed.
 17. A method of styling hair of a wearer using a hair accessory having a base defining a hair-facing surface and an opposing surface, a stem extending from the opposing surface, and an enlarged form extending from the stem, the method comprising: applying the head-facing surface against the wearer's head; drawing the wearer's hair surrounding the base perpendicularly away from the wearer's head; and fastening said hair around the stem.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein, when fastened around the stem, said hair substantially conforms to at least part of the enlarged form.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: covering the portion of the wearer's hair surrounding the enlarged form with a textile cover; and fastening the textile cover around the stem.
 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising fastening the wearer's hair over the enlarged form opposite from the stem. 